All the care she needs, all at no cost. Welcome to Medicaid con cariño. Driscoll Health Plan offers full medical, vision, and prescription drug benefits for your child. Plus many other free services.
Free Value-added Services* $100 for eyeglasses every 2 years (age 2 and up). Free membership to Boys and Girls Club. $20 gift card after completing required checkup. Free help with asthma. Rides to medical visits and health classes.
Join us for the SOLT Family Life Conference July 18-20 A Conference for the Whole Family Moms, Dads and Teens with Child Care available
Presenters: Fr. Dan Estes, SOLT Dr. Joseph Biberstein, PhD, LPC Sr. Anne Walsh, SOLT Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT
Fr. Dan Estes, SOLT
Talks will focus on: • Communication • Healing relationships within the family • Setting Boundaries There will be opportunities for group/family discussions and Q&A with a facilitator following each talk, as well as time for adoration and confession.
Dr. B. Joseph Biberstein, PhD, LPC
Mass on Saturday will be at 9 a.m. with SOLT Novices making their 1st promises. “Healing” Mass on Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
*Not a complete list. Restrictions and/or limits apply. Valid through August 2014. Visit our website for an updated list.
Cost (including 4 meals) Individual – $60.00 Couples – $100 Call for discounted family rates
Sr. Anne Walsh, SOLT
Please register by Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Conference info: Ext. 301
Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT
Our Lady of Corpus Christi Learn more: (855) 425-3247 toll free • (800) 735-2989 TTY DriscollHealthPlan.com DHP MKTG-002 8/19/13
2 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
1200 Lantana • Corpus Christi
(361) 289-9095 Bookstore: Ext. 309 Retreats: Ext. 321
Store Hours Mon-Sat 11-6pm Closed SUN
ON THE
VOL. 49 NO. 7 Publisher Most Rev. Wm. Michael Mulvey, STL DD
30
Father David Bayardo, left, and Father Alfredo Villarreal lay hands on their parents Pedro Jr. and Diana Bayardo and Hector and Maria Villarreal after being ordained to the priesthood.
COVER
Editor Alfredo E. Cárdenas ACardenas@diocesecc.org
Corrina Longoria for South Texas Catholic
Theological Consultant Father Joseph Lopez, JCL
5
Associate Editor Mary E. Cottingham MCottingham@diocesecc.org Web Coordinator Julissa Rokohl JHernandez@diocesecc.org
Bishop Michael Mulvey blesses the chapel at St. John Vianney Residence for Priests. On May 29 diocesan priests and members of the laity joined Bishop Mulvey in a Mass to dedicate the new complex and consecrate its chapel. Mary Cottingham,
Administrative Assistant Adel Rivera ARivera@diocesecc.org
South Texas Catholic
Correspondents Rebecca Esparza, Luisa Scolari, Corrina Longoria
If you or someone you know would like to receive the South Texas Catholic call us at (361) 882-6191 Office Address: 620 Lipan Corpus Christi TX 78401-2434 E-MAIL: stc@diocesecc.org www.southtexascatholic.com FAX: (361) 693-6701
Calendar Items Submit your announcements by using our Online form, e-mail, fax, mail, or drop it off at the Chancery office. Only announcements for the month of publication will be included in the print edition, if space permits. All other calendar items will appear on the magazine or diocese Web sites. The South Texas Catholic is not liable or in any way responsible for the content of any advertisement appearing within these pages. All claims, offers guarantees, statements, etc. made by advertisers are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Deceptive or misleading advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints regarding advertising should be made directly to the advertiser or to the Better Business Bureau. (USPSN 540-860) Published monthly by the Diocese of Corpus Christi for $25 per year. Periodical postage paid in Corpus Christi Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to South Texas Catholic 620 Lipan, Corpus Christi TX 78401-2434.
If you wish to read our Spanish language articles in English visit our Web site southtexascatholic.com and use the Google language translator. Si desea leer nuestros artículos escritos en Inglés en español, visite nuestro sitio web southtexascatholic.com y utilice el traductor de idiomas Google.
Keep up with the Faith at
www.SouthTexasCatholic.com
INSIDE NEWS BRIEFS
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
Payday lending practices scrutinized ������ 9
Bishop calls on new priests to keep Christ in the center of their lives and that of the faithful................................................. 26
PARISH LIFE Most Precious Blood Parish promotes the Gospel to build parish community..............10 CATHOLIC EDUCATION St. Patrick School molds ‘the whole child’ ��������������������������������������������14
NATIONAL NEWS Agencies scrambling to care for unaccompanied minor migrants......................33 VIEWPOINTS
VIDA CATÓLICA
Clearing the air around marijuana use �����40
Jesus es nuestro primer evangelizador y es nuestro modelo.........................................20
OUR FAITH
VOCATIONS
The homily is a time for a communication between God and his people
Vocations in the domestic church ����������24
����������������������������������������������������������������������������42 JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 3
Last abortion clinic in south Texas closes its doors By Alfredo E. Cardenas
A
South Texas Catholic
fter more than a quarter century driving past pro life advocates praying at the entrance to his abortion clinic’s parking lot entrance, Dr. Eduardo Aquino announced last month that he was retiring and closing his Coastal Birth Control Center. Aquino, a gynecologist, has been performing abortions in Corpus Christi since 1978. Pro-life advocates have held constant prayer vigilance at his clinic. State legislation finally prompted the closure of the clinic. In 2013, the first special session of the 83rd Texas Legislature adopted comprehensive abortion reforms. Among the reforms was a requirement that abortion clinics meet the building standards of ambulatory surgical centers. This requirement will go into effect in September. Aquino is reported to have said he would have to invest $1.5 million to bring his clinic up to the new standards. A cost, which he said, was not financially feasible. “The church has long professed that the dignity of life, from conception to natural death, should be protected,” Bishop Michael Mulvey said. “The Diocese of Corpus Christi notes the retirement of Dr. Aquino and is hopeful that the lives of many unborn children will be preserved with the ultimate closing of the Coastal Birth Control Center on Morgan Street.” Aquino’s clinic had seen an increase in abortions in recent months after provisions requiring physicians to have admitting privileges at a hospital within
4 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
30 miles of the clinic went into effect, causing abortion centers in the Rio Grande Valley to close their doors. With the closing of the abortion facility in Corpus Christi, abortions will no longer be available in any city within the historic boundaries of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, which today includes the Diocese of Brownsville, the Diocese of Laredo and part of the Diocese of Victoria. Through the years, the efforts of prolife advocates saved many lives, as women heard their prayerful messages and turned away from the clinic, Bishop Mulvey said. Father James Farfaglia who has spent his adult life praying and advocating for a culture of life expressed joy at the closing of the clinic. “I am very grateful that the abortions are stopped. The closing of the clinic was the result of many years of prayer by many people,” Father Farfaglia said. At the same time, Father Farfaglia said, “we need to reach out to Dr. Aquino, he is our brother; we need to pray for him and also pray for the women who had abortions and for the children that were aborted.” Father Farfaglia described this
development as a “game changer” but at the same time acknowledged, “Much work remains to be done.” For his part, as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Corpus Christi, he will heed Pope Francis’ call to “reach out to the marginalized.” He will continue to go out into the neighborhoods in his parish and offer help to those in need; to teenage moms and families who are experiencing difficulties. “We can stop abortion from happening by helping young people make right decisions,” he said. He said efforts should be initiated to build up programs such as Hope House so that it can help more women and children. Corpus Christi Hope House provides “shelter and assistance for homeless, abused and abandoned pregnant women and their dependent children.” Hope House Chairman of the Board Ray Reeves said they are anticipating a 30 percent increase in demand for services and are doing fundraisers to purchase another shelter to help meet the demand. “We call for a new openness to life in our community and our country. We pray for the unborn and for those who are dealing with a crisis pregnancy,” Bishop Mulvey said.
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
Nine priests are expected to be in residence by the end of the summer and two more by the end of next summer at the new St. John Vianney Residence for Priests. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
LEGACY OF FAITH-FUTURE OF HOPE
Diocese dedicates home for priests By Mary Cottingham
T
Correspondent
hanks to the generosity of parishioners from the Diocese of Corpus Christi who donated and continue to donate to the Legacy of Faith, Future of Hope Capital Endowment Campaign, retired priests in the diocese have begun moving into their new homes at the St. John Vianney Residence for Priests. On May 29 diocesan priests and members of the laity joined Bishop Michael Mulvey in a Mass to dedicate the new complex and consecrate its chapel. Bishop Mulvey with the assistance of Msgr. Thomas McGettrick, Vicar for Retired Priests, blessed the
facility. At the beginning of his homily Bishop Mulvey joked that Msgr. McGettrick could return all the architectural renderings to Gordon Landreth from CLK Architects, who designed the project. “Put
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 5
Msgr. McGettrick assists Bishop Mulvey in blessing of St. John Vianney Residence for Priests. In background is Chaplain Father Francis Sebastian who will also live in St John Vianney residence. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
them on a shelf…get rid of them–they’ve been sitting in our room for 15 years. It’s now a reality, so you can take the renderings, put them away and we can look upon the beauty of this wonderful complex that has been given to us,” Bishop Mulvey said. Bishop Mulvey was referring to the Priest Retirement Home committee, which Bishop Roberto Gonzalez, OFM formed 16 years ago. The committee had done their research and had come up with architectural renderings developed by Cotton and Landreth (now CLK). The project, however, was shelved due to other pressing concerns. When Bishop Mulvey suggested the Legacy of Faith, Future
6 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
of Hope campaign, a survey was taken and the priests residence was the laity’s number one concern. “Currently, the duplexes can house 18 priests with one unit designated and equipped to serve a priest and a 24-hour caretaker,” Orlando Zepeda, Diocesan Construction and Property Manager, said. Each residence comes equipped with a kitchen, living room, bathroom, walk-in closet, garage and laundry room. Besides the residence, also included in the lease are two meals a day, housecleaning, laundry service (not dry cleaning), linens and basic cable. Zepeda said the architects and site
supervision representing CLK Architects did an outstanding job in the development, design and construction of the project. They were instrumental in keeping the project on budget. According to Vicar General Msgr. Louis Kihneman III, nine priests are expected to be in residence by the end of the summer and two more by the end of next summer. Msgr. McGettrick has already moved in many of his belongings. He is stocking the library with a variety of books he has accumulated over the years and has been looking forward to living in a community of priests since his retirement last year. “It is such a beautiful facility–everything
a priest needs is here for his ministry of prayer. A beautiful chapel is here. If he wants to read or study or prepare a homily, there’s an excellent library. If he wants to exercise, there is an exercise room,” Msgr. McGettrick said. The challenge for every priest is “to be a great support group for each other and hopefully, we will not be forgotten by the other priests in the diocese. I hope they would feel welcome to come here, that they would want to come here and share a meal with us. Retirement years can be pretty lonely if a priest has no support group,” Msgr. McGettrick said. “If anyone needs special medical attention they will be taken care of–there will be a staff hired for meals–it’s important to have a good cook,” Msgr. McGettrick said. Chaplains can live in the priest’s residence. Father Arularasu Mathias, who is studying to become a chaplain at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-South, said he is looking forward to living in
St. John Vianney residence. “I am so happy the bishop is allowing us to live here. I’m very excited. I will have more chances to connect with another priest… it will be more like a family here,” he said. When the Legacy of Faith, Future of Hope Capital Endowment campaign began two years ago, “all the stars were aligned. Everything was just in the right place at the right time,” Cande DeLeon, Director of Parish Stewardship and Development said. “Parishes and priests have been generous and continue to give, Marc Cisneros and his staff from the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Foundation have been the guardian angels through all this, not just morally, but also by backing us financially,” DeLeon said. The buildings are complete, but the diocese is still paying for it. “It’s important that parishioners continue to honor their pledges. When people give to the campaign, they’re
giving to the entire campaign. There are still two to three more years of giving to all of the projects. It’s not over yet,” Dave Wyrwich Legacy of Faith Development Specialist said. “The pledged amount has to be realized. It’s only a name on paper and without the continued commitment of parishioners the campaign is in trouble.” Bishop Mulvey explained in his homily that a home is not just a structure; it’s a place to belong, a place to be loved and a place to be wanted. St. John Vianney Residence for Priests represents an effort by the Diocese of Corpus Christ, laity and religious to become that kind of home. To see more photos of this event
SouthTexasCatholic.com
www.SouthTexasCatholic.com/Vianney Guests look over the inside of one the duplex apartments at St. John Vianney Residence for Priests. Every apartment is fully furnished and includes a kitchen, living room, bathroom, walk-in closet, garage and laundry room. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 7
Help Us Prevent Financial Abuse The Diocese of Corpus Christi at the recommendation of the Diocesan Financial Council and Presbyteral Council have furthered their commitment to good stewardship and nancial accountability on behalf of generous donors by instituting a nancial abuse hotline. The Diocese of Corpus Christi has selected an independent third party, The Network, to provide you with a new way to anonymously and condently report nancial abuse and fraud. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, vendors and other interested parties will be encouraged to report concerns they have regarding nancial misconduct within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. All inquiries will be treated promptly and discreetly. Callers will have the right to remain anonymous. Call 1-877-571-9748
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For the good of the people of God in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Bishop Michael Mulvey has made the following appointments: Father Luis Alfredo Villarreal parochial vicar at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Corpus Christi, effective July 1. Father David Bayardo parochial vicar at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Corpus Christi, effective July 1. Father Michael Slovak, SOLT parochial vicar at Christ the King Parish in Corpus Christi, effective Aug. 15. Deacon Arnold Marcha director of St. John Vianney Residence for Priests, effective June 9. Deacon Mark Arnold executive director of Pastoral Parish Services, effective July 1.
Impact of payday lending practices on the poor was subject of presentation by Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi hosted a presentation and strategy discussion concerning payday and auto-title loans on Wednesday, June 18. Jeff Patterson, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference, facilitated the workshop. Case workers from Catholic Charities, the city of Corpus Christi, Nueces County and the Area Agency on Aging offered examples of clients that have been preyed upon by this type of lending. Bishop Michael Mulvey offered his blessings and remarks. State Representative Todd Hunter made comments on the impact of Payday Leticia Ochoa with the Area Lending and Mayor Nelda Agency on Aging shares Martinez provided a brief clients' experiences with overview on how the city of payday lending. Alfredo E. Cardenas, Corpus Christi is addressing South Texas Catholic this issue. JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 9
Women clap at a T.R.U.E. Presence Retreat held in May 2014 at Most Precious Blood. Ervey J. Martinez, Most Precious Blood
Most Precious Blood Parish:
Promoting the Gospel to build parish community By Rebecca Esparza
W
Correspondent
hen Father J. Patrick Serna was studying in Rome as a seminarian in 2000, he asked Father Bob Dunn, pastor at his home parish of Most Precious Blood, if he could borrow his chalice. There was a remote possibility he could have it blessed by St. John Paul II. As it turned out, the chalice was used for a Mass at the Vatican and blessed by Pope John Paul II and now is used in all Sunday Masses at Most Precious Blood.
10 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
Most Precious Blood Chalice blessed by St. John Paul II. Contributed Photo
PARISH LIFE “We have the documentation and everything,” Father Dunn said proudly. “It is quite a blessing for us and we plan to use it for the first feast day of St. John Paul II on Oct. 23, later this year.” The sacred chalice is just one of many blessings at Most Precious Blood Church. Founded in 1966, the church has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks in part to the rapid growth of Corpus Christi’s south side. Today, the thriving parish has more than 2,700 families, with many of them involved in the numerous ministries that keep the parish bustling with activity everyday. Father Dunn, who will be celebrating 14 years at Most Precious Blood this August, said he’s proud of the growth he has helped cultivate. The growth has not occurred overnight, Father Dunn said, but the progress over time has been exciting, as parishioners began adding program after program steadily over the years. “Our priority is to promote the Gospel and build our parish community. We are blessed to have a vibrant and loving community. I have to insist that comes from the cooperation from our laity,” he said. “We are all spokes in a wheel and our successes come from our entire community.” The willingness to serve has to be there, Father Dunn acknowledged. “I give credit to God, first and foremost,” he said. “And of course to our almost 900 volunteers. It is quite amazing to be able to say that.” The list of different ministries available at the church is impressive: from Men of Faith in Action and Women of the Word, to retreats like T.R.U.E. Presence and ACTS.
The St. Maria Goretti Youth Center is currently under construction at Most Precious Blood. The new facility will be used for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, offered to children from three years of age up to sixth grade.
There never seems to be a lack of activities to keep parishioners engaged. The T.R.U.E. Presence retreat is one of the newest ministries and it has received rave reviews from recent participants. Father Dunn explained the T.R.U.E. Presence retreat focuses on what “makes us uniquely Catholic…the fact Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. T is for truth, which is learned through tradition and scripture; R is for renewal; U is for unity, a call to reflect our covenant relationship with God; and E is for evangelization and sharing the good news.”
Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic
Jerry Trevino, parishioner at Most Precious Blood, arrives at the parish hall for a celebratory send off before the Men's T.R.U.E. Presence Retreat. Fellow parishioners welcome retreat participants with hugs and "high-fives" as a way of making them feel welcomed and motivated for the retreat they are about to experience. Ervey J. Martinez, Most Precious Blood
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 11
He said most Catholics recognize the Eucharist as the center of their faith, but he believes the church should not only lead people to ideas about Jesus, it needs to lead them to his overall works. “He is our Eucharistic Lord and every sacrament is an encounter with Christ. Jesus really is present. It’s important to pray, important to know him. This new retreat places a strong emphasis on that. It’s through beautiful encounters like this retreat that we grow spiritually and truly understand the Eucharistic Lord,” Father Dunn said. One of the most exciting new developments at Most Precious Blood is the St. Maria Goretti Youth Center currently under construction. The new facility will be used for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, offered to children from three years of age up to sixth grade. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a
12 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
Montessori-based curriculum grounded on the Bible, the Roman Catholic liturgy, the sacraments and church teachings. Approximately 60 religious education teachers at Most Precious Blood have a minimum of 90 hours of specialized training in the Catechesis of the Good Shepard. Some instructors have as many as 180 hours of training, Father Dunn said. “I’ve never been in a situation where the Catechists are so excited,” Father Dunn said. “The excitement is contagious. It makes kids more apt to learn. Thanks to the Catechesis of the Good Shepard, students are so much more engaged, intrigued and interested.” He said they had begun introducing the program, but did not have the space to fully implement it across all grade levels. The building will be ready for the new religious education session starting in September. Father Dunn is also excited to see youth programs
for older students expand, as well. Joe Cipriano, director of youth ministry, works with middle and high school students at the parish. He said that the new youth center would also have tremendous benefits for older children, as well. “Our new youth center will allow our groups to expand the times we are available to the youth,” he said. “In the past, our programming for older children would start at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. But now, we can have access to the building at 5 p.m., which will give them a safe place to play sports, do their homework and eat dinner before starting our ministry. The benefits of our new youth center will be far-reaching.” Cipriano, who was a youth minister at a parish in Kentucky before joining Most Precious Blood, noted he has never experienced such a dynamic and bustling Catholic community as this one.
“We have anywhere from 150-200 teenagers actively involved in our youth groups, which is phenomenal,” he said. “Although, with a parish our size, we could stand to easily see those numbers double, so the new center could not have come at a better time.” Meanwhile, Father Dunn explained he would like to see the future of the parish head toward increased involvement in corporal works of mercy. “I’d like to see us put more emphasis in helping the poor. Whether it’s through reaching out to those at the Mother Teresa Day Shelter or a similar ministry. We need to do more to help the economically disadvantaged,” the pastor said Those interested in religious education for children, retreats or volunteering at Most Precious Blood may contact the parish office at (361) 854-3800 or visit www.mpbchurch.org for more information.
Most Precious Blood Men's T.R.U.E. Presence Retreat was held in June 2014. Ervey J. Martinez, Most Precious Blood
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 13
St. Patrick School molds ‘ By Rebecca Esparza
S
Correspondent
t. Patrick School principal Evelyn Burton says the mission of educators at the school is to form the whole child: spiritually, academically, physically, socially and emotionally. “We believe that St. Patrick School offers a variety of special classes and activities in which each child can find a niche, where they are able to grow and flourish. We try to help them become the best person they can be,” she said. St. Patrick School is one of the largest elementary schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, with an enrollment of 275 in grades K3 through sixth. “Our teachers love the school, too,” said assistant principal David Mason. “We have numerous teachers who are also former students. Each child gets weekly music instruction, computer classes, Spanish classes, art, as well as weekly guidance counseling. It’s a beautiful community.” Lifetime St. Patrick parishioner Monica Lugo knows firsthand the significance of the school’s mission. Lugo, who works part-time at St. Patrick as the health coordinator, has two children who attended St. Patrick, two children currently attending and twins who will attend K3 at the school this fall. Members of her family were among the first students to walk the halls at St. Patrick School when it first opened its doors in 1950. “It means the world to have my children attend the very same school where my father, aunts, cousins and myself all
14 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
received our elementary school Catholic education. This is truly home,” she marveled. “It feels amazing to see people I went to school with also here with their children,” she said. ‘Things have progressed
❝... If one child
looks like they are being left out of things, then we help them better interact and socialize with their peers .❞ since I was a student here, but only for the better. What I love best about the education at St. Patrick is my children are educated the same way I would do it on my own.” Burton, who started her career in education teaching at St. Patrick, shared a story about how children as young as four-years-old receive exposure to some
of the most highly acclaimed artists of all-time in art class. “I walked in on our four-year-olds the other day and they were all under the tables, which intrigued me,” she said. “It
‘the whole child’
turns out they were studying Michelangelo and their teacher had put butcher paper under each table, allowing them to draw on their backs, just like he did in the Sistine Chapel. It was an amazing
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
First graders from St. Patrick School sit and pray at the school's outdoor Prayer Garden, from left to right: Michael Cazalas, Elizabeth Aldrich and Izabella Rodriguez. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 15
A local fishing organization, Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association, sponsored a fish touch tank at St. Patrick School earlier this year. From left to right Bryan Bennet, Phoenix Rea, Sergio Pereda, (all pre-k3 students) and Coach Russ Allen enjoy an up-close experience with sea creatures.
St. Patrick School Music instructor Tony Zamora wo Craftmeyers and Marielle De La Torre on guitar less
Kelvie Mason, St. Patrick School
hands-on lesson they will never forget.” Mason said the children go to Mass twice a week and take part in many of activities throughout the week. They have structured daily physical education including a healthy snack time. “During daily recess and other activities, we watch the children closely to monitor their social interactions with other children. If one child looks like they are being left out of things, then we help them better interact and socialize with their peers,” Burton said. St. Patrick has a large athletic program in which more than 80 percent of the children participate in at least one extracurricular sport. The Shamrock Running Club has 150 children participating and this year–for the first time–they had two teams in the annual Beach to Bay Relay. One team received third place and the other eighth. St. Patrick was one of a few elementary schools in Corpus Christi participating in the annual relay race. “I believe when children are happy, they thrive in all aspects, socially, academically and spiritually. We’re proud of our community at St. Patrick School,” said Burton. “We foster a positive attitude toward lifelong education by providing
❝...What I love best about the education at St. Patrick is my children are educated the same way I would do it on my own. ❞
16 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
our children with an atmosphere where they can grow and develop in every way in a loving environment.” Burton said the school was extremely grateful for the support of Msgr. Roger Smith, Pastor at St. Patrick Church and School, for his commitment to providing children with the opportunity of a Catholic education by his presence and strong financial support to the school. “We are fortunate to have a wonderful pastor, who is also an alumni (19561964), and very involved in our school. Our parish family provides great support for our school,” she said. Mason, who had a long and successful career in the military, followed by 14 years in Catholic education, joined St. Patrick this year as assistant principal. He said his first day was one he will never
forget. “No amount of training can prepare you for cafeteria duty with kindergarteners,” he chuckled. “But there is no place I would rather be than with these amazing children. Nurturing their spirits and hearts is a wonderful feeling.” St. Patrick School is currently registering children for the 2014-15 school year. Tuition assistance is available
orks with sixth graders Monique sons during music class. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic
Principal Evelyn Burton observes plants searching for larva at St. Patrick School's Prayer Garden with first graders Bella Vargas, Izabella Rodriguez and Samantha Sandoval. The real-life science lesson teaches the children about the transformation of a larva into a beautiful butterfly. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic
for qualifying families. To visit the principal and tour the school, call the school office at (361) 852-1211, from 7:30
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For H-D Radio Information: KLUX.org JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 17
In Memoriam
Father Randy Cain
April 3, 1956 ~ June 11, 2014
F
ather Randy Cain, parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish in Corpus Christi, passed into eternal life on June 11 and was laid to rest in his hometown of Winnsboro, Louisiana on June 14. Father Cain had served in the Diocese of Corpus Christi since his ordination in 1988. “He was very dedicated to taking care of the sick. He was a good confessor. He was kind, patient and gave good advice. He was also a good homilist, a good priest,” Msgr. Roger Smith, pastor at St. Patrick’s, said. Msgr. Smith was the Vocations Director when Father Cain first approached the diocese with his desire of becoming a priest for the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Father Cain had converted to Catholicism as a young man and entered Holy Trinity Seminary for the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. He made friends with seminarians from Corpus Christi and, subsequently made the switch in diocese. Father Cain was born on April 3, 1956 in Winnsboro, Louisiana to Fate M. and Minnie E. Cain, both now deceased. He grew up Baptist with two sisters and four brothers. In 1981, he received a bachelor of art's degree in elementary education from the University of Corpus Christi and in 1987 a master’s in Divinity from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He received his seminary training at St. Mary's Seminary in Houston from 1984-88. Bishop Rene H. Gracida ordained
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Father Cain on Jan. 30, 1988, alongside his friend Danny Flores, now the bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville. “Father Randy was a generous and kind man who loved the church and loved being a priest…We were good friends since seminary days, and we were ordained together at Corpus Christi Cathedral in 1988,” Bishop Flores said. “He was always fun to be with; he knew how to laugh and see the humor of life. He was a great person to travel with, and I have fond memories of traveling with him and other friends to Mexico City to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe, of trips to his family home in Louisiana… “His death came as a sudden shock to me. I will miss him terribly much, as I know many others will also,” Bishop Flores said. After his ordination, Father Cain was assigned briefly to St. Philip the Apostle in Corpus Christi, before going to Laredo where he served in a number of parishes. When the Diocese of Laredo was erected in 2000, Father Cain was pastor of St. John Neumann in Laredo. He remained in Laredo until 2002, after which he took a sabbatical.
In 2004, he returned to the Diocese of Corpus Christi as parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s. In 2005, he was named pastor of St. Theresa in Corpus Christi, where he served until 2012, with a one-year assignment at Holy Family in Taft in 2009-10. While at St. Theresa’s, Father Cain suffered a stroke and after his recuperation returned to St. Patrick’s. Msgr. Smith said that Father Cain loved life. He loved to go to the movies and he especially loved science fiction movies, he loved to cook and he loved cats. Everyone agreed he had a good and self-deprecating sense of humor. Msgr. Smith recalls that Father Cain was very aware that he might suffer a second stroke and would tell Msgr. Smith that if he passed away he wanted an open casket with a bowl of Hershey’s Kisses next to it so everyone could place one in his mouth. At other times he would joke that if he died while asleep, that monsignor should prop him up on his kneeler with a rosary so he could “look holy.” “If I was to characterize Father Randy, he was a very gentle and kind man. He also had a dry, wonderful sense of humor that could many times catch you off
guard,” Bishop Michael Mulvey said. “He was deeply loved by his parishioners and having celebrated his funeral Mass in Louisiana, he was also deeply loved and respected by his family.” Before his second and fatal stroke, Father Cain had attended a weeklong gathering with priests in Port Aransas. He had an opportunity to spend some fraternal time with his brother priests. “Several priests have commented to me that they were able to visit with him at length and through those visits got to know him better,” Bishop Mulvey said. “They were very shocked, of
course, just a few days after that, that the Lord took him home and he is no longer with us.” In addition to the funeral Mass in Louisiana, Bishop Mulvey celebrated a memorial Mass at the Corpus Christi Cathedral where his brother priests and parishioners from his various parishes had the opportunity to celebrate his life. “He will be greatly missed by the priests and the people of this diocese and we ask the Lord to receive him into eternal life,” Bishop Mulvey said.
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Sister María Del Carmen Villalpando,
Sister Maria Alyse Vogel,
July 15, 1920-June 16, 2014
November 17, 1927-June 17, 2014
Sister María Del Carmen Villalpando, MDPVM died on June 16 in Kingsville at the age of 93. She was born on July 15, 1920 to Norberto and María Isabel Villalpando of Tepatitlán Jalisco, México. She was a member of the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary and an active religious education teacher at St. Martin’s Parish in Kingsville. Sister María Del Carmen graduated from Texas A&I University with a degree in education and was a teacher for more than 70 years in numerous cities, including Taft, Robstown, Kingsville in the Diocese of Corpus Christi and Sunnyside and Wenatchee, Washington. Survivors include the sisters of Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary Convent of Kingsville and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A Rosary was prayed at Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home and Father Naul Ordóñez celebrated a funeral Mass on June 19 at St. Martin Catholic Church. She was laid to rest at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville.
Sister Maria Alyse Vogel, ISSM, 86, passed away, Tuesday, June 17 in Rockport. She was born Nov. 17, 1927 in Steinfeld, Germany. Sister Maria Alyse entered the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary on Nov. 3, 1951 and came to the United States in 1953. She taught for several years at Sacred Heart School in Rockport and St. Lawrence School in San Antonio. Her apostolic spirit called her to work at the Schoenstatt Center in Queretaro, Mexico for 34 years until 2007 when she returned to the United States to retire due to diminishing health. One priest brother and one sister survive her. A Rosary was prayed and a funeral Mass was celebrated at the Province House Chapel of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Rockport. She was laid to rest at the private cemetery of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary.
MDPVM
ISSM
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 19
Martha Fernández Sardina hace su presentación a los participantes en el retiro sobre la Nueva Evangelización en Nuestra Señor de San Juan de los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia. Luisa Scolari para el South Texas Catholic
Por Luisa Scolari
M Corresponsal
artha Fernández-Sardina impartió “La comprensión de la Nueva Evangelización y Defendiendo la Fe” el Sábado 14 de Junio en los salones del nuevo Centro Parroquial de la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia de Corpus Christi. El Padre Julián Cabrera, Director del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Corpus Christi, invitó a Fernández-Sardina para cumplir con el llamado a la evangelización de el Papa Francisco. Fernández-Sardina tiene licenciaturas en psicología clínica e en teología. Fue directora de evangelización de la Arquidiócesis de Washington por ocho años y de la de San Antonio por siete años. Ha brindado talleres y conferencias sobre evangelización en Canadá, Brasil, Portugal, Australia, Nueva Zelandia y en distintas partes del país. Asistieron feligreses de las diferentes Parroquias de
20 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
la Diócesis, como del Sagrado Corazón de Mathis, St. Thomas de Robstown, de Saint Mary, Star of the Sea de Aransas Pass, Nuestra Señora de la Victoria de Beeville, de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro de Corpus Christi, de Santa Elena de Corpus Christi, de Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia de Corpus Christi, de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Alice y de la Catedral.
VIDA CATÓLICA
El propósito del taller es el crecer en conocimiento y santidad con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, compartiendo el gran amor que nos tiene Dios. “La Evangelización es una misión de amor, y para poder salir a evangelizar eficazmente, debemos tener muy claro quién es Jesucristo y quienes soy yo, para dejar que sea Cristo quien obre y no yo,” Fernández-Sardina dijo cuando empezó la conferencia. Partiendo de que Dios nos creó por amor y no por necesidad y fuimos creados a su imagen y semejanza, debemos seguir su ejemplo y amar como el nos ama. Y junto con ese amor, debemos llevar la buena nueva a los demás. La evangelización es un proyecto de Dios y no un proyecto propio y ya que el mismo Jesucristo fue un evangelizador, debe ser nuestro maestro y ejemplo a seguir. Es una importante misión de amor a la que el Papa Francisco nos está llamando: “No tengan miedo, salgan a servir, Cristo nos llama a evangelizar a todo el mundo; y el Señor no solo nos envía, sino que también nos acompaña.” Fernández-Sardina aconsejo que cuando evangelicemos, compartamos y proclamemos la palabra de Dios con toda la humildad y no debemos pensar en ella como una imposición, sino más bien como un
servicio de amor a Dios y a nuestro prójimo. Por eso es que cuando vamos a evangelizar no debemos de tratar de imponer sino compartir, ya que la persona a quien estamos tratando de evangelizar, podría no estar lista y sentirse incómoda. El Evangelio merece que el evangelizador dedique tiempo y energía para conocer a fondo la palabra de Dios y así poder compartirla con los demás, ya que no podemos enseñar algo que desconocemos. Fernández-Sardina invita a “parar el proceso de descristianización e impulsar la cristianización, ya que actualmente muchos Católicos que ya han sido evangelizados, están en la iglesia solo de nombre y no frecuentan los sacramentos. El ser Católico implica pensar, sentir y obrar como Católicos,” es por esto que el Papa Francisco nos dice, “La Iglesia no es un hotel, es una familia, no se vale ir solo cuando necesitas algo.” En la Virgen de Guadalupe tenemos un gran ejemplo de evangelización. Ella fue la gran evangelizadora. Cuando pide a San Juan Diego llevar su mensaje al obispo de la ciudad de México, sintiéndose él tan insignificante en su posición de indígena, le pide que envíe a alguien más importante porque a él no le harían caso. “Es a ti a quien quiero enviar,” le respondo la virgen. Ante los ojos de Dios todos somos igual de
Participantes al retiro vinieron de diversas parroquias de todas partes la diócesis. Luisa Scolari para el South Texas Catholic
❝Quien ha sido evangelizado necesita evangelizar, quien ha sido amado por Jesús, debe amar a los demás, y si ya has sido evangelizado, necesitas vivir conforme al mensaje de Dios.❞
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 21
importantes y nos necesita por igual, solo que todos tenemos diferentes roles, igual de valiosos, necesarios e importantes que debemos poner al servicio del Señor. Con esto podemos entender que todos y cada uno de nosotros podemos catequizar en nuestro entorno. No necesitamos irnos de misioneros, sino que podemos hacerlo en nuestro día a día, con algún Luisa Scolari amigo, compañero de trabajo, vecino o familiar que para el South Texas Catholic veamos necesitados de sentir y experimentar el amor de Dios. No debemos olvidar que nuestro ejemplo y nuestras obras causarán más impacto que nuestras palabras. Cuando evangelizas traes a esa persona a un conocimiento más profundo para que se enamore de Cristo. “Quien ha sido evangelizado necesita evangelizar, quien ha sido amado por Jesús, debe amar a los demás, y si ya has sido evangelizado, necesitas vivir conforme al mensaje de Dios. Si crees que ya no tienes nada que aprender, debes saber que existen niveles más profundos a medida que vas avanzando,” Fernández-Sardina dijo. Jesús es el primer evangelizador y el evangelizador por excelencia, es nuestro modelo y debemos aprender de el. Jesús proclama sobre todo el reino de Dios y nos promete que todo lo demás se nos dará por
Padre Julián Cabrera, de rodillas en el centro, organizó el retiro como parte de su Oficina de Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Corpus Christi.
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añadidura. El objetivo de una buena evangelización es lograr una conversión radical que genere un total cambio interior con una transformación profunda de mente y corazón. “La Iglesia nos llama a impulsar la evangelización para detener el sangramiento de personas que se están yendo a seguir otros evangelios,” Fernández-Sardina dijo. Fernández-Sardina invita a todos a participar en la próxima conferencia que impartirá el próximo Sábado 19 de Julio de 9 a.m. a 4 p.m. en los salones del nuevo Centro Parroquial en la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia. La gran mayoría de los asistentes expresaron el interés y la necesidad que sienten de que se ofrezcan misas, conferencias y retiros en español, ya que sienten que el inglés no es su idioma. Varios participantes dijeron que agradecen mucho este tipo de eventos que organiza el Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis. “Así como sentimos la necesidad que la iglesia nos hable en nuestro idioma, así debemos de estar abiertos a otras personas que quizás hablen otro idioma, darles la bienvenida y acogerlos como iglesia, ya que nosotros hemos sentido esa misma necesidad,” el Padre Cabrera dijo.
Ayudenos a Prevenir el Abuso Financiero La Diócesis de Corpus Christi por medio de la recomendación del Concilio Diocesano de Finanzas y el Concilio Presbiteral han llevado su dedicación mas allá para la buena administración y responsabilidad nanciera en nombre de donantes generosos al instituir un “hotline” para reportar el abuso nanciero. La Diócesis de Corpus Christi ha seleccionado un tercer partido independiente, La Red, para proporcionarle a usted con una manera para reportar anónima y condencialmente el abuso nanciero e fraude. Los empleados, los parroquianos, los voluntarios, los vendedores, y otros partidos interesados estan impulsados para reportar las preocupaciones que tengan respeto a la conducta de påca ética nanciera dentro de la Diócese de Corpus Christi. Todas las investigaciones serán tradas inmediatamente y discretamente. Personas que llamen tienen el derecho de mantenerse anónimas.
Llamada 1-877-571-9748
Obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina de Protección de Niños y Jóvenes se comprometen a ayudar en el proceso de curación de las víctimas y sobrevivientes de abuso. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce está en necesidad de estos servicios, llame a Stephanie Bonilla, Director de la Oficina de Protección de Niños y Jóvenes, (361) 6936686 (oficina) ó (361) 658-8652 (celular) para asistencia inmediata.
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JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 23
Vocations in the domestic church By Father Joseph Lopez, JCL
S
Contributor
Father Joseph Lopez, JCL, is Vocations Director for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
ome of us have heard that vocation promotion is not just for the vocation office. The truth is it is the duty of every member of the church to promote vocations.
In particular, as the primary teachers of their children, parents have a primary role in forming their sons and daughters to be open to and pray to discover their own vocations. Not all parents are aware of this privilege and responsibility, and not all who are aware of it have knowledge of the many things they can do to fulfill their role. But the domestic Church is well equipped to encourage the vocations of young people with a little understanding and effort. Fortunately, there are some great resources available to help families. One resource is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Web site, which provides a page with some great tips. Here are five of the more important tips for us to make use of, whether you are a parent, or are in the position to pass these along to parents to help promote vocations:
1. Begin praying as a family and reading from Sacred Scripture daily, certainly before meals, but also first thing in the morning or before bed. Find a time that works for your family. Use the liturgy of the church as a model for prayer, and try to include heartfelt unstructured prayer as well. Pray a family Rosary for vocations (each member leads a decade, and everyone shares intentions). 2. Begin family traditions based on the seasons celebrated in the liturgical calendar. 3. Make worshiping God a priority. Make the sacraments a regular celebration–take the whole family to confession and Mass. Never miss Mass, even while traveling–go to: www. MassTimes.org to find a church near you.
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J.D. Long-Garcia, Catholic News Service
4. Welcome into your home and support priests, brothers, sisters, deacons and lay ministers in the church. 5. Allow your children to witness you in private prayer. Encourage your children to pray daily on their own, to listen for God’s call, and if heard, to respond.
These are only a few of the things recommended on the USCCB Web site. You can see the rest, as well as many other resources to help families promote vocations at usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ vocations/.
Sister Elizabeth Close
VOCATIONS
celebrates golden jubilee
By Sister Mary Juliane Kuntscher, IWBS
S
Contributor
ister Elizabeth Close, IWBS will observe her golden jubilee on Aug. 7. Sister Elizabeth entered the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Aug. 7, 1961, and received the religious habit as a novice on June 2, 1962. She professed first vows on Aug. 7, 1964, and perpetual vows on August 7, 1967. She was born in Dublin, Ireland to the late Dominic Hugh Close and Claire O’Byrne Close. Sister Elizabeth’s initial contact with Incarnate Word Sisters of Corpus Christi took place when she was a seventh grader at Iona National School in Dublin. Sister Kathleen McDonagh and Sister Barbara Cashell gave a vocation talk to the seventh grade class at the school during a visit to their homeland. She sensed God’s call to serve as a religious sister, and continued to correspond with Sister Kathleen concerning vocation discernment. Later, Sister Rita Brehony– during a home visit to Ireland–assisted her on the last step of her discernment journey. Sister Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and also received certification in special education and in the Montessori Method, a mode of which she has utilized in teaching at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi for many years. A great and memorable experience for Sister Elizabeth was serving in Nakuru,
Africa. She says that it was an opportunity for which she had yearned all her life. Sister Elizabeth taught at St. Xavier High School, following the British system of education, ministering to students who reflected a cross-section of the city; Catholics, Protestants, Hindus and Muslims, in grade levels nine through 12, studied at the school. Sister Elizabeth’s summer ministries included “June Joy,” a catechetical program offered in Kingsville, King Ranch and Ricardo. In the Rio Grande Valley, she conducted retreat programs for youth. She also ministered to migrant farmworkers and their families in Minnesota, facilitating participation during Sunday liturgies, visiting with families in the evening and teaching religion to the children while their parents worked in the fields. For a period of time, Sister Elizabeth served as an elected member of the Leadership Team. She was Director of Incarnate Word Associates, and worked on numerous commissions and committees of the congregation. She
has participated in General Chapters of the Congregation as an elected delegate, and she served as sister-in-charge of the Motherhouse from 1984-1988. Sister Elizabeth was also appointed to the office of local councilor at the Motherhouse, to assist the sister-in-charge in carrying out the duties of her office. As a member of the Ongoing Formation Committee of the congregation, Sister Elizabeth shares the responsibility of providing opportunities for spiritual, communal and personal growth of the sisters. Presently, her ministry consists of working at Incarnate Word Montessori School, where she teaches children, ranging in ages three to five years. “During this jubilee year, I reflect on the graciousness of God in blessing me with my family, my community and the parents and children who, throughout the many years as a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, have touched my life. I cherish each day–to laugh, to love and to sing the praises of my God with my whole being,” Sister Elizabeth said. JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 25
The Diocese of Corpus Christi and the Society of the Most Holy Trinity, each ordained two new priests on May 31. Pictured from left are Father Tristan Abbott, SOLT, Father Michael Slovak, SOLT, Father Alfredo Villarreal and Father David Bayardo. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
Bishop calls on new priests to the center of their lives and th By Alfredo E. Cardenas South Texas Catholic
B
ishop Michael Mulvey ordained four priests at the Corpus Christi Cathedral on Saturday, May 31. It was, the bishop said to the new priests, “a special day in your lives and in the lives of your families, but it is also a unique moment in the life of the entire Church.” Two of the priests, Father David Bayardo and Father Alfredo Villarreal, are diocesan priests and two, Father Tristan Abbott and Father Michael
26 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
Slovak, were ordained for the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. The day was an important one in the life of the Diocese of Corpus Christi
o keep Christ in hat of the faithful and for the Society of Our Lady the Most Holy Trinity, Bishop Mulvey said. “This does not happen every day,” he said to family and friends who packed the Cathedral. It was the end of a long journey of discernment and seminary preparation, but it is also the beginning of what the priests hope will be a long journey in service to God’s church and its people. Father Bayardo said he told his mother he wanted to be a priest at the age of seven. No one believed him then but when he got ready to commit to the
long period of study and discernment his family was very supportive. “They’re my world. They are the first way I know how to be a Christian, to be Catholic,” Father Bayardo said. “They are the way I’ll know how to be a priest. They are everything.” Father Villarreal shared this feeling with his brother priest. “My family played a huge role,” Father Villarreal said. “They have been supportive of my formation. I could not have done this journey without them.” JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 27
Priests lay prostate before the cross during their ordination in Corpus Christi Cathedral on May 31. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic
In addition to supportive parents and siblings, the two men also have uncles that are priests who played important roles in their journey into the priesthood. They were both present at the ordination to vest their nephews in their new ecclesiastical vestments. In his homily, Bishop Mulvey offered the new priests simple but enduring advice. Using the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, the bishop reminded the new priests that, “Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers.” Everything they do as priests must be centered on Christ, he said. “The Lord has chosen you, Alfredo, David, Michael and Tristan to serve the priesthood of the baptized through the ministerial priesthood. In that light, you are not to lord anything over the people of God,” the bishop said. “You are not to order, you are not to command or to put yourself above the people of God, but to serve and to serve humbly in the image of Jesus Christ who himself, though divine, emptied himself of his divinity in order to serve. Therefore, you must always seek to acquire the mind and the heart of Jesus Christ.” The bishop said he was not ordaining them to be social workers but to serve Jesus Christ and his people. He cautioned them that they could not
28 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
be of service to others if they remained strangers to the life and conditions of the people they were called to serve. Their mission is to lead everyone to Jesus Christ through the ministry of the word. “The word of God must be at the very heart of your own personal life and your own personal prayer,” Bishop Mulvey said. “Be mindful in your ministry to the word that the Lord God wants to speak to his people through you.” He asked them, as Pope Francis has asked all priests, to prepare well to deliver the word of God to the faithful. “You are priests of Jesus Christ, priests of his church. I ask you to be a conduit of the word of God and never be an obstacle through speech or through action, which contradicts the word of God,” Bishop Mulvey said. As priests they will be called to “sanctify the people of God through the sacraments.” Through the sacraments, the bishop said, they would allow Christ to work through them so that he can be present to his people. “Please be careful administers of the sacraments,” the bishop said. “It is Christ Jesus baptizing that baby; it is Christ Jesus forgiving the sinner in that confessional; it is Christ Jesus himself in your person celebrating his own offering to the Father.
It is he who wants to be present in the church today, so that he may shine forth and touch the depth of the hearts of your brothers and sisters. Remember how important it is that he be front and center.” The bishop asked the four newly ordained priests to be compassionate and clear in the confessional. He told them to be gentle and kind, to welcome the sinner to a new life of conversion and to walk with them. “Above all brothers, do not judge. And even less, do not condemn; that is not our job. Be there present to your brothers and sisters. In order for this to happen, you must take on the mind and the heart of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Mulvey said. “My brothers, remain faithful to Jesus Christ. Don't worry about remaining faithful to your bishop, your superior. Don’t remain faithful worrying about the Liturgy of the Hours, saying Mass every day, hearing confessions. Don’t worry about those things. I ask you to be conscious of one thing: be faithful to Jesus Christ. Then, you will say Mass every day with the heart of Jesus. You will hear
confessions with his compassion and love. You will seek out the lost because he will urge you to do so,” the bishop said. He closed his talk to the new priests by offering his friendship and that of his brother priests. “Call me, I am a friend. Share the pain with your brother priests, deacons and laity so that we can all remain faithful,” Bishop Mulvey said. Father Bayardo has been assigned to Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Father Villarreal will be serving at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Corpus Christi, Father Abbott will serve at Nuestra Señora del Refugio in Nuevo Laredo and Father Slovak has been assigned to Christ the King Parish in Corpus Christi.
To see more photos of this event
SouthTexasCatholic.com
www.SouthTexasCatholic.com/Ordained4
Newly ordained priests join Bishop Mulvey in front of Corpus Christi Cathedral after their ordination. They are from left, Father Alfredo Villarreal, Father David Bayardo, Father Michael Slovak, SOLT, and Father Tristan Abbott, SOLT. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 29
Families proud, supportive of new priests “I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my words to them. Whom shall I send? “Here I am, Lord. It is I Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, where you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.” –– Here I am, Lord By Corrina Longoria
I
Correspondent
t was fitting and more than appropriate that the hymn “Here I am, Lord",” which calls God's people to serve the Lord, was sung May 31 at the ordination of Father David Bayardo and Father Alfredo Villarreal. Not only did these two men say, “Here I am Lord,” their family members– who watched with rapture-filled, tear-stained faces–also answered the call when they shared their sons and brothers with the church. “I am filled with happiness and grace,” Maria Villarreal, mother of Father
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Villarreal said. “He is the third priest in our family and he just couldn’t be
anything else. I have always known that he was something special. Even people
During the priestly ordinations of four priests on May 31, Father Francisco J. Quezada, left photo, lays hands on his nephew Father David Bayardo and Father Auscenero Rivero Pérez, right photo, lays hands on his nephew Father Alfredo Villarreal. Father Quezada is from the Diocese of Colorado Springs and Father Pérez is from Monterrey in Nuevo León, Mexico. By laying on of hands the ordaining bishop and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the one to be ordained, giving him a sacred character and setting him apart for his ministry. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
who didn’t know him always said that there was something different about him. “I couldn’t be happier and this is the greatest blessing from the Lord. No one else but him could have given us this honor. I feel so close to the Lord today and I put all my family in his hands.” Father Villarreal’s older sister, Leti Barnes, brought her family from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to be with her brother on this joyous occasion. “I feel so overwhelmed and just proud,” she said. “He was always a moral person who followed the rules. He is kind and everybody who
knows him calls him their best friend.” Barnes said that her brother called each of the members of his family and personally told them of his plans to enter the priesthood and no one tried to get him to change his mind. Rather, they all thought it perfect that he knew God’s will and carried on the family tradition of serving the Lord. Sonia Villarreal, Father Villarreal’s cousin, traveled from Queretaro, Mexico for the event. “He was always very noble, generous and honorable and gave counsel to all who needed it,” she said. “I am so
proud of him. You could tell how much pride his friends and fellow priests also have in him. You could see the esteem that they have for him and the love the community has showed him in this ceremony.” Father Villarreal’s mother said that families unite for many reasons, including weddings, first communions and other occasions, “but this was greater than all of these. It was a great moment of happiness not only for our family but also our entire Catholic family.” Kathryn Saenz, Father Bayardo’s sister also expressed her amazement at the JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 31
Father David Bayardo and Father Alfredo Villarreal hug parents after laying hands on them. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic
beauty of the ordination ceremony. She remembered when her uncle, Father Francisco Javier Quezada, was ordained and compared it to her brother’s ordination. “Back in 1988 when my uncle was ordained I remember watching the laying of hands and how impressive it was,” she said. “Then watching my brother go through the same thing I just felt it was the most special part for me. It’s so awesome because it’s the moment you know when it’s real.” Saenz said she knew she would be watching her brother’s ordination someday. “He was very young when he felt the call. He was an altar boy and was always at church,” she said. “We also grew up watching my uncle so it wasn’t something that was foreign to us. My parents never talked him out of it. They never said, ‘Oh we won’t have any more grandkids.’ My brother is their only son and they never said, ‘Oh the family name won’t be carried on.’ They supported him the entire step of the way. “My brother might have made it here without the support of my parents, myself
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and my husband Andrew,” she said, “but I think it helped him. In turn he helped us become closer to the Lord through his relationship with the church.” A few days after Father Bayardo’s ordination, his mother Diana Bayardo said she was still on “cloud nine,” adding that during this time she has been very emotional and constantly feels the presence of the Holy Spirit. “It has been a long journey for him and for us too,” she said. “I see it as the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I feel so humbled that this honor has been given to me. I love Bishop [Michael] Mulvey so much and he’s been so good to David and the other seminarians. You can tell they are a priority to him. Sometimes I feel not worthy of all this. The diocese has been so good to us and to David.” She also spoke of some the issues mentioned by her daughter, namely that others would often ask her if she was sad that her son would never give her grandchildren. “It was funny because I was looking for a watch the other day and I turned up David’s hospital ID bracelet from when he was a baby. It was the Wednesday before
the ordination when I found it and I just cried and cried, but not from sadness,” she said. “And I thought about what people ask me, about him never having children. You know, that never crossed my mind. I gained children through him. I gained the boys I see going into the seminary that are following his steps. I pray for them too and for their vocation. David’s vocation is all his. I never tried to influence him either way. We just all supported him 100 percent.” Both families said that encouragement and understanding is crucial to ensuring that more women and men answer the call to vocations. “Pray about it as well,” Saenz said. “Support your family member who is looking for a life in vocations.” Father Juan Antonio Rivera Zamora of Monterrey, Mexico, who is Father Villarreal’s cousin, said that it is a great responsibility for a family to have a member who is a priest or a sister. “We invite everyone to offer many prayers for vocations,” Father Rivera said. “It is through asking for more to enter that more will enter.”
NATIONAL NEWS
Agencies scrambling to care for unaccompanied minor immigrants By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service
As the federal government struggles to care for an unexpected influx of children caught trying to cross the border without a parent or guardian, dioceses and social service agencies where the minors are passing through are trying to provide assistance.
Msgr. Louis Kihneman, vicar general for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, blesses drivers before they leave for the Rio Gande Valley with five trailer loads of donations for the immigrant refugee children that have been inundating the Diocese of Browsville. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 33
Volunteers from youth groups in the Diocese of Corpus Christi were on hand June 21-22 at the Mother Teresa Shelter in Corpus Christi to receive donations from the faithful. Here they unload pillows and bedding donated in response to the Diocese of Brownsville's call for help. The Diocese of Corpus Christi shipped several trailers of goods to the valley. Alfredo E. Cardenas South Texas Catholic
A surge in such children being detained at the border—more than 48,000 since October, double the number apprehended in all of the 2012 fiscal year—has caught governmental and private agencies short of the resources needed to care for the children. On Friday, June 20, the Diocese of Brownsville issued a call for help. They were in need for food, water, clothing, bedding, etc. to care for the 150-200 children entering the Rio Grande Valley daily. The neighboring Diocese of Corpus Christi went into immediate action. They issued a call to all their parishes to bring donations to the Mother Teresa Shelter in Corpus Christi.Their posting on Facebook generated more than 7,500 views and a number of comments expressing support. “I pray that everyone who reads this message can make a donation of some kind,” wrote Martha Medina. “These children suffered during their journey and have been misled. They are here in the U.S.A. please let’s give them some help. For the love of Christ let’s help these children.”
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Kathy Clark wrote, “There are many generous people in Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ, who want to help others but don't know how. This is an excellent opportunity for them to do so!” Over the weekend, and on short notice, the Diocese of Corpus Christi collected and sent more than 10 tons and five truckloads of donations. Valleycentral.com, a Brownsville, Texas-area news outlet, reported June 13 that two Catholic parishes in the Rio Grande Valley would be gathering food, clothing, baby supplies and toiletries to offer the young migrants. The Rio Grande Valley has seen the bulk of the influx of children who cross the border without their parents. Several Tucson, Arizona news outlets quoted Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas discussing meetings he was in with community leaders and municipal and federal authorities about how to deal with the thousands of migrants being moved to Arizona to make room for the continuing influx in Texas. Tucson and Phoenix were receiving busloads of
women and children from Texas daily, he said. Families with few belongings and no food or money are dropped off at bus stations with instructions to show up for future deportation-related hearings. South of Tucson, in the border city of Nogales, unaccompanied minors were literally being warehoused, sheltered in a Border Patrol warehouse with no indoor plumbing while more permanent housing is arranged. Bishop Kicanas said the Tucson community groups were discussing opening a shelter for the children. Erica Dahl-Bredine, country representative for El Salvador for Catholic Relief Services, said the surge “is a direct result of the growing desperation we are seeing here in Central America.” She noted that the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime reported that Honduras and El Salvador were among the five most violent countries in the world. “In huge areas of the capital cities and many rural areas, the gangs are calling the shots,” Dahl-Bredine said. “There are far more gang members than police officers in El Salvador and Honduras.” She told of the 15-year-old son of the person who cleans her office being taken off the bus by gang members on his way home from school and severely beaten. “His crime was simply being from a neighborhood controlled by the rival gang,” she said. “If he ever rode the bus through there again, he was told, they would kill him.” There has been some anecdotal reporting that people in Central America are sending their kids north in the hope of them getting legal status, because of an administration program giving some young adults protection from deportation. But Leslie E. Velez, senior protection officer for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said that interviews show there is more to it than that. Last year the UNHCR did lengthy interviews with more than 400 minor migrants, asking them about why they left home and what their experiences were on the way, she said. Almost 60 percent said they were fleeing chronic violence at home, “in many cases, fleeing for their lives,” Velez said. “One 15-year-old girl explained it to us, to break it down,” she said. In El Salvador, the
girl said, the gang members take young girls and rape them. If they do not agree to become the “girlfriends” of gang members, “they put you in a plastic bag,” Velez said the girl explained. The Center for American Progress, said that about half the children—whose average age is 14—are girls, where in years past nearly all were boys. Many of the girls are pregnant, from being raped either at home or on the way to the U.S., said Michelle Brane, director, of the Migrant Rights and Justice Program of the Women’s Refugee Commission. “They are well aware of how dangerous it is, and that they might die,” she said. One young migrant told her agency that she “had to take the chance. If she stayed home she was certain to die.” Dahl-Bredine, who formerly worked for CRS in its Mexico programs office in Nogales, Arizona, said most Central Americans are well aware how dangerous the trip is. (Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic, contributed to this article.)
Donated canned goods collected at the Mother Teresa Shelter are waiting to be loaded into trailers going to the valley. Alfredo E. Cardenas South Texas Catholic
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 35
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VATICAN
In Bethlehem, near site of Christ's birth, pope speaks out for children By Francis X. Rocca and Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service
Celebrating Mass a few steps from the spot traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, Pope Francis said that the way society treats its young reveals its moral character. Children are a “diagnostic sign, a marker indicating the health of families, society and the entire world,” the pope said May 25 in Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity. “Wherever children are accepted, loved, cared for and protected, the family is healthy, society is more healthy and the world is more human.” The Bethlehem Mass was the only Mass for local Christians during Pope Francis' two days in the West Bank and Israel, the second and third legs of a three-day journey to the Holy Land. The Mass was limited to about 10,000 people, but the crowd was enthusiastic, and many arrived while it was still dark to get a spot. The altar was set up in front of a large mural of the Nativity, but in place of the Wise Men were the three popes who had previously visited the Holy Land—Paul Pope Francis stops in front of the Israeli security wall in Bethlehem, West Bank, May 25. L'Osservatore Romano, Catholic News Service
VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Pope Francis told those gathered in the square that “children need to be welcomed and defended, from the moment of their conception.” He said “all too many children continue to be exploited, maltreated, enslaved, prey to violence and illicit trafficking. Still too many children live in exile, as refugees, at times lost at sea, particularly in the waters of the Mediterranean,” he said, in apparent reference to African refugees trying to make their way to Europe. “Today, in acknowledging this, we feel shame before God, before God who became a child.” Pope Francis spoke of children used as soldiers and as models for fraudulent charitable appeals. “Are we perhaps people who use fine and pious words, yet exploit pictures of poor children in order to make money?” he asked. After the Mass, the pope met with Palestinian refugee children from four different camps in the West Bank. He told them not to let the past hinder them, but to always look to the future. Before the Mass, as the pope’s helicopter flew over Manger Square on its
way to the helipad, the crowd cheered wildly, waving flags and banners. A group of Polish pilgrims, accompanied by a guitar player, sang religious songs outside the fenced-in area on the edges of the square, and another group sang in Spanish. On a stage to the side of the square seminarians sang religious songs in Arabic to choreographed movements. They were replaced later by a youth choir, which sang as the pope arrived. Locals said the pope's arrival strengthened them. “We are very few Christians here,” said Majd Banoura, 57, of Beit Sahour, West Bank. “It gives us strength when the pope comes here. It is a sign that this is the land of the Palestinians, and it gives Christians strength to stay here in this land.” The pope smiled broadly as he greeted people in the popemobile, which drove along a path where he could greet the maximum number of people. The crowd released white balloons and welcomed him with traditional trilling. Parents held their children aloft on their shoulders so they could catch a glimpse of the pope. Quiet fell over the crowd as the Mass began in Arabic. At the last few minutes JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 37
of the Mass, the Muslim call to prayer could be heard from the loudspeakers at the mosque bordering the square, and for a moment the call and the closing songs of the Mass intertwined. Although Israel gave out some 500 permits to people in the Gaza Strip to travel to Bethlehem for the Mass, only 24 people received tickets to the Mass, said two Catholics in attendance. At least two people from Gaza said they thought Israelis did not give permits to entire families out of fear that they would remain in the West Bank. “I love to be in Gaza and don't want to leave Gaza even though it is hard. Christians have to be strengthened in Gaza,” said 15-year-old Bolos Swelem, who was the only one in his nuclear family to receive a permit and had come to the Mass with his aunt. “I am here to see the pope and ask him to pray for us, for our life to be made easier.” Regina Carreon, 47, a Filipino working in Tel Aviv, was among the first to arrive at the square, with five buses of Filipino caregivers. She said she had not slept all night. “It was our target to get in the front,” she said. “No one was here but us Filipinos. I would stand here even in the sun to see the pope. I feel so blessed. I don't feel tired, I just feel very good and calm. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life.” Local Scout groups helped with the organization of the seating and crowd control, passing out bottles of water, prayer booklets for the Mass and Palestinian and Vatican flags. “I think everyone here is happy,” said Yousef Musalem, 42, of Bethlehem, a Scout leader who also helped with the Mass for Pope Benedict. “This is a time to pray with the pope. Everybody is in a good mood.”
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Pope tells presidents only God can bring peace to Holy Land By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service
Praying for peace in the Holy Land alongside leaders of long-antagonistic nations, Pope Francis called on God to act where human efforts had failed, to end what he described as violence inspired by the devil. “More than once we have been on the verge of peace, but the evil one, employing a variety of means, has succeeded in blocking it,” the pope said June 8 at an evening ceremony in the Vatican Gardens. “That is why we are here, because we know and we believe that we need the help of God.” The pope addressed his remarks to Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during an “invocation for peace” in the Holy Land, to which he had invited them during his visit to the region two weeks earlier. “I was young, now I am old. I experienced war, I tasted peace,” Peres said in an English portion of his statement. “Never will I forget the bereaved families, parents and children, who paid the cost of war. And all my life I shall never stop to act for peace for the generations to come. Let’s all of us join hands and make it happen.” According to an official translation of Abbas’ prepared Arabic text, the Palestinian president said: “We want peace for
us and for our neighbors. We seek prosperity and peace of mind for ourselves and for others alike.” The event, at which Christians, Muslims and Jews prayed in each other’s presence, was almost certainly the first of its kind at the Vatican, according to Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office. The starting time of 7 p.m. had been chosen in part to avoid the midday heat, yet temperatures were still in the mid 80s less than an hour earlier, when Peres arrived by car at the Vatican guesthouse, where the pope lives. Abbas arrived at 6:30 p.m., and 15 minutes later the two presidents embraced in the presence of the pope. “Nice to see you,” Peres and Abbas told each other in English. Joining the group was Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, whom Father Lombardi had described as one of the event’s “four protagonists,” and Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, custos of the Holy Land and the principal coordinator
of the event. The five men rode together in a white minivan the short distance to the site of the ceremony, a triangular swath of lawn walled off by tall hedges along two sides. The setting had been chosen, according to Father Lombardi, because of its “neutral” appearance, lacking in religious imagery. Pope Francis and the two presidents sat at the corner of the triangle where the two hedges met. Along the hedge to their left sat what the Vatican described as “political” members of the Israeli and Palestinian delegations, including both nations’ ambassadors to the Holy See; Christian religious leaders, including Patriarch Bartholomew, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Palestinian Lutheran Bishop Monib Younan; and musicians who performed
between prayers during the ceremony. Along the other hedge sat various Muslim, Jewish and Druze religious figures, including Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Omar Abboud, longtime friends of the pope from Buenos Aires and leaders respectively in their city’s Jewish and Muslim communities, who accompanied Pope Francis during his visit to the Holy Land. Members of the Palestinian and Israeli delegations and guests of Pope Francis read a selection of Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers, in order of their religions’ historical precedence. Each set of prayers praised God for creation, begged forgiveness of sins and asked for peace in the Holy Land. Patriarch Bartholomew read in English from the Book of Isaiah: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but
Pope Francis greets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as Israeli President Shimon Peres looks on during an invocation for peace in the Vatican Gardens June 8. Paul Haring, Catholic News Service
the serpent—its food shall be dust.” At the end of the ceremony, which lasted about an hour and 45 minutes, the pope, patriarch and the two presidents kissed each other on both cheeks, then took up shovels and added dirt to the base of a newly planted olive tree. They then spent about 15 minutes speaking privately inside the nearby Casina Pio IV, a 16th-century villa that now houses several pontifical academies. JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 39
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A
Contributor
June 2014 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, written by researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institutes of Health, points out that marijuana is not the harmless drug that many imagine.
Rather, it is associated with “substantial adverse effects, some of which have been determined with a high level of confidence.” These negative outcomes include the risk of addiction, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, an elevated incidence of fatal and non-fatal motor vehicle accidents and diminished lifetime achievement and school performance in cases of long term use, especially beginning in adolescence. We can add that the decision to use a drug recreationally for the purposes of dissociating ourselves from reality through induced euphoria raises significant moral concerns, and–like all unethical human choices–can be expected to correlate with significant adverse ramifications. Part of the unethical character of drug abuse flows from the fact that we
r around marijuana use ➤ The decision to pursue inebriation and drunkenness, similarly, is a choice directed against the good of our human conscious experience that raises serious moral concerns. are treating something good–namely our personal, conscious experience–as an evil to be avoided. Recreational drug users seek to escape or otherwise suppress their lived conscious experience, and instead pursue chemically altered states of mind, or drug-induced pseudo-experiences. Any time we act in such a way that we treat something objectively good as if it were an evil by acting directly against it, we act in a disordered and immoral manner. The decision to pursue inebriation and drunkenness, similarly, is a choice directed against the good of our human conscious experience that raises serious moral concerns. The responsible enjoyment of alcohol, meanwhile, presupposes that a moderate use of the fruit of the vine can aid us in the pursuit of certain aspects of friendship and interaction by stimulating conversation with others, and by diminishing the hesitations that people may have when they interact with each other. The moderate use of alcohol also appears to offer positive physiological effects on health. The notion of the “responsible enjoyment of marijuana and other mind-altering drugs,” meanwhile, is a dubious concept, given that the more powerful and varied neurological effects of these substances readily take us across a
line into alternate states of mind, detachment from reality, “getting stoned,” etc. Whenever we look at alcohol, marijuana or other more powerful drugs, additional moral concerns arise due to the risk of addiction, which threatens authentic freedom and constitutes a serious form of human bondage. Alcohol, of course, poses a significant risk of addiction for some people, and the responsible use of alcohol may become nearly impossible for them, necessitating complete abstinence to maintain their freedom. Marijuana, despite some contentious debates about the matter, similarly has a significant addictive potential, as noted in the New England Journal of Medicine article: “Approximately 9 percent of those who experiment with marijuana will become addicted…The number goes up to about 1 in 6 among those who start using marijuana as teenagers and to 25 to 50 percent among those who smoke marijuana daily. According to the “2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health,” an estimated 2.7 million people 12 years of age and older met the DSM-IV criteria for dependence on marijuana, and 5.1 million people met the criteria for dependence on any illicit drug (8.6 million met the criteria for dependence on alcohol)…Indeed, early and regular marijuana use predicts
VIEWPOINTS
an increased risk of marijuana addiction, which in turn predicts an increased risk of the use of other illicit drugs.” This article also notes that adults who smoke marijuana regularly during adolescence have decreased neural connectivity, abnormal brain development and fewer fibers, in specific brain regions. Although some experts have disputed a cause-effect relationship for this phenomenon, studies of brain development in animals strongly suggest a causal effect. The authors surmise that the effects of marijuana on brain development may help to explain the association between frequent marijuana use among adolescents and significant declines in IQ, as well as poor academic performance and an increased risk of dropping out of school. These deleterious effects speak to us of the fundamentally unethical character of inhaling, injecting or otherwise ingesting harmful chemical substances into our bodies. The litany of marijuana’s adverse health effects raises major doubts about the wisdom of promoting its legalization for recreational purposes. The authors note that the health effects of a drug (whether legal or illegal) are related to its “availability and social acceptability.” They conclude, “In this respect, legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco) offer a sobering perspective, accounting for the greatest burden of disease associated with drugs not because they are more dangerous than illegal drugs but because their legal status allows for more widespread exposure,” leading to more abuse and more harmful effects. It is critical for us to acknowledge these negative effects rather than seeking, like drug addicts, to dissociate ourselves from this reality. JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 41
Most Reverend Michael Mulvey is Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
The homily is a time for a communication between God and his people By Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL, DD
I
South Texas Catholic
n his Apostolic Exhortation, “The Joy the Gospel,” Pope Francis explains the meaning and the place of the homily during our Liturgical celebration, especially on Sundays. He quotes from St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Dies Domini, “that the liturgical proclamation of the word of God, especially in the Eucharistic assembly, is not so much a time for meditation and catechesis as a dialogue between God and his people, a dialogue in which the great deeds of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the covenant are continually restated.” It oftentimes happens that many of us have an expectation that the homily will address certain cultural, ideological or economic concerns that are present in our society today. Certainly there is a place for the church to address these very important topics. There are moments in which the church can, should and must address these issues. The homily, however, serves a different purpose. It is, as the Holy Father says, a time for a communication between God and his people. To the people who are listening to the homily, it is important not to be listening or filtering the words of the homily through the lens of one’s own ideologies or one’s own issues, whatever they may be. If one does so, he or she will likely end up critiquing the homily according to those narrow parameters. The homily is a time for one to open one’s heart
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and listen–as the pope says– to the great deeds of salvation reaffirmed and proclaimed in their lives. In the past our preaching oftentimes has appeared to be “moralistic and doctrinaire” where one received a lecture on the do’s and don’ts of living the Christian life rather than listening to God speak to the heart. This, the Holy Father says, “detracts from this heart-to-heart communication which takes place in the homily and possesses a quasi-sacramental character.” Pope Francis also quotes from Chapter 10 of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, in which he says, “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.” This must be the heart of our preaching today; it must be Christ-centered. We must preach Jesus Christ and the deeds of salvation in the Gospel each Sunday. We all need to hear him proclaimed.
OUR FAITH The conversion of one’s heart comes from listening, and the homily every Sunday is the prime place where this is accomplished. The homilist–priest or deacon–should prepare himself well to want to proclaim God’s word and allow God to speak through him. The priest or deacon should not present his own issues and his own ideologies, but rather speak purely the word of God and let the grace of the teaching touch people’s lives. It is for that reason, I believe, Pope Francis calls upon homilists to focus more on grace, meaning the Holy Spirit working through him and his words, rather than merely preaching with techniques; that the proclamation of the word be the teaching of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the homily is for the converted heart to continue his or her own conversion in the world applying what they have heard, applying the message of Christ to the particular issues and responsibilities that they face each day. One final note regarding the homily, which is both from the point of view of the one who proclaims the homily and the one who hears the homily. The homily requires the humility of heart, which is able to recognize that God’s word is always beyond us and that, as Pope Paul VI said in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, “we are neither its masters or owners, but its guardians, heralds and servants.” Therefore, as we continue our renewal of life for the New Evangelization let us look upon the homily as that moment in our week in which the Lord wants to speak to us and convert our hearts. As missionary disciples of Jesus Christ we can bring his love, his mercy and his truth to those whom we meet throughout the week and lead them also to Christ in a conversion of their hearts.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins Father J. Patrick Serna is pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Sinton.
By Father J. Patrick Serna
O Contributor
ur Christian belief in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins only makes sense in relation to the paschal mystery. The paschal mystery, basically, is our core belief in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christian baptism initiates and unites the baptized to the paschal mystery, which is why we refer to this message as “the good news” or “the gospel.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the church and made sharers in her mission” (CCC 1213). The commonly used word, “baptize,” is derived from the Greek verb, which means, “to immerse” or, “to wash.” All of God’s choices, as they pertain to us humans, always have as their goal our salvation and reconciliation to himself in heaven. St. Paul summarizes the paschal mystery, and the importance of the one baptism, in his epistle to the Romans: “We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life” (Rom 6:4). Catholics take baptism very seriously, and are zealous to baptize their babies at the earliest convenience, for we take Jesus at his word, that baptism is necessary for salvation. Our Lord told Nicodemus, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 43
enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Water has a cleansing effect and water gives life, but when Spirit” ( Jn 3:5). one is immersed under water one cannot breathe, and this symWe know that St. Paul baptized babies, because babies were bolizes death. During baptism by immersion, one symbolically usually to be found in “entire households.” In Acts of the experiences the three days of Jesus’ descent to the dead. The Apostles, we are told that the jailer “…and all his family were three times that one comes back up for air, during baptism by baptized at once” (Acts 16:33). St. Paul, along with other biblical immersion, we are reminded of Christ’s resurrection and the saints, took Jesus’ words to Nicodemus seriously. breath of life everlasting, which happened on the third day of In his fourth century work, “Oration on Holy Baptism,” Easter morning. St. Gregory Nazianzus reflected on sacramental baptism, its God is holiness, and nothing unholy can approach God in realities and its symbols and wrote, “Since we are double-made, the beatific vision. Sin is the opposite of holiness, and as such, I mean of body and soul, and the one part is visible, the other we must constantly try to be forgiven of sin while striving invisible, so the cleansing also is twofold, by water and the for reconciliation and union with him. Baptism is the first Spirit; the one received visibly sacrament that forgives our in the body, the other concursin, and it makes possible the ring with it invisibly and apart other sacraments, which confrom the body; the one typical, tinue to fuel the life of grace the other real and cleansing the in our souls. Holy CommuI believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven depths” (Oration on Holy Bapnion “...is a remedy to free us and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one tism 7–8). from our daily faults and to Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Our God is the creator of the preserve us from mortal sins” Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true natural order, and is the font for (Council of Trent, DS 1638). God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the supernatural life of grace, The sacrament of anointing the Father; through Him all things were made. For us men which begins with baptism’s of the sick also forgives sin and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the natural and supernatural symand reconciles us to God, as Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became bols. There are only three times we are reminded in the rite man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, when the Paschal Candle, also itself, with words taken from He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the known as the “Christ Candle” or scripture and The Council third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into “Easter Candle,” is lit during the of Trent: “Is anyone among heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will liturgy: at baptisms, at funerals you sick? He should summon come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His and during the Easter season. the presbyters of the church, kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the The lighted Easter Candle is a and they should pray over Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the vivid symbol of Christ’s resurhim and anoint him with oil Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, rection, and so it is alive during in the name of the Lord, and who has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy, the season of the resurrection, the prayer of faith will save Catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the which is Easter. The paschal the sick person, and the Lord forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of candle is lit at baptisms because will raise him up. If he has the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. that is when the life of grace committed any sins, he will begins, and the paschal candle be forgiven” ( Jas 5:15; DS is lit at funeral liturgies, because this is when the hope for 1717). The sacrament of the sick continues to keep alive grace resurrection comes to culmination. in the soul, which came alive on the day of baptism. The Catholic Church recognizes two methods for valid bapIf we nurture this life of grace–which begins with baptism tism: “Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple and continues with the sacraments–prayer and lectio divina immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times (divine reading), we too will then share in Christ’s resurrection it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three and be able to say along with St. Paul, “Death is swallowed up times over the candidate’s head” (CCC 1239). While baptism in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is by immersion provides the greatest theological symbolism, not your sting” (1 Cor. 15:54-55)? all churches are large enough for that and for pastoral reasons That is the good news. That is the gospel. Life has the last require baptism by pouring, which is less visual but just as valid. word, not death.
Nicene Creed
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The price of our ransom By Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT
W
Contributor
Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.
hat does God think of humanity? What does God think of us? There is plenty of evidence to suggest that what we think he thinks, and what he actually thinks, are often two very different things. The bloodshed in the last century alone causes devout people sometimes to feel God should intervene, and perhaps, just as in the time of Noah, start over with a remnant. After all, wars and ideological struggles, the persecution of Christians in various parts of the world, genocide, tyranny and intentional famines, homicide and the holocaust that is abortion have been responsible for the deaths of 1.5-2 billion people in only one century of time. There is not a place on earth that has been unaffected by senseless bloodshed, a situation which at times seems almost hopeless, even to people of strong faith. Yet, if one could look from some distant point in the universe, at all the suns birthing worlds, all the planets spinning through space, at nebulae and quasars, pulsars, comets, moons and asteroids, the prodigious wonders of galaxies coming to life and others passing away, there would be one spot in creation more beautiful, more blessed, more full of light than all the rest. And it would be our own earth. This is not because of those who inhabit this world. In fact the inhabitants of our particular world are often so caught in quagmires of darkness that they cannot be said to be responsible in anyway for this beauty. Yet exceptional beauty there is because of God’s personal presence among us. God’s interventions in human history are respectful, astounding and full of a wisdom we do not readily comprehend. Most of the things we attribute to God, war chief among them, are really just the consequences of our own sins catching up with us. But from the beginning of time, God’s response to our sin, after pointing out the consequences, which logically flowed from them, was to promise a Redeemer. The first sin led all of us into captivity. But God was
immediately prepared to pay the ransom. Historically the amount of ransom demanded is determined by the value placed on the person held. The Incas paid the largest ransom ever paid in 1532, to Francisco Pizarro for the release of their leader. The amount of gold given him would be worth about $2 billion in today’s markets. Pizarro took the ransom but did not honor the agreement. He executed the Incan leader anyway. The ransom paid by God for us is infinitely beyond any sum, no matter how great. That in itself tells us something of the value God places on each one of us. St. Peter said, “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pt 1:18-19). Jesus gives his very life, down to his last drop of blood, in order to redeem us. July is a month that the church dedicates to honoring the Precious Blood of Jesus in a special way. Why the Precious Blood? Because the Precious Blood of Jesus is the price of our salvation. It is God’s answer to our sin. It is the ransom he freely and willingly gives as an expression of his unfathomable love for us. And this ransom, which is of infinite worth, has been paid once and for all. It may be claimed for anything and anyone; for salvation, conversions, protection, liberation from bondages, reconciliation, purification, healing; for restoration of relationships with the Trinity, the saints, each other; for the souls in purgatory; and for advancement of the work of the kingdom of God. How do we access this ransom that is ours? We most easily access it through the sacraments, through JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 45
➤ July is a month that the Church dedicates to honoring the Precious Blood of Jesus in a special way. Why the Precious Blood? Because the Precious Blood of Jesus is the price of our salvation. It is God's answer to our sin. It is the ransom He freely and willingly gives as an expression of His unfathomable
love for us. the Mass, through prayer. St. Paul said that where sin abounds grace super-abounds (Rom 5:20). He can say this because of the ransom that Christ has paid! We are entitled to all the good things of God because of this ransom. And we are left all of the channels in the church by which we may acquire them. Who does not want to be saved? Saved from despair, saved from the meaninglessness, saved from a life without love, saved from our own narrow, selfish desires and compulsions, and from all the captivities the world so easily lures us into? Is there anyone who does not want to be saved from illusion? Saved from sin? Is there anyone who does not want to be saved from death? Really? St. John XXIII said, “The world can still set itself right and always will be able to, because the voice and Blood of Christ cry out for pity and mercy... Devotion to the Precious Blood is the devotion of our time...It is devotion for all souls, for the whole world.” If you really want to know what God thinks of humanity, what he thinks of you, ponder well the astounding price Christ has paid for you and for all of mankind, and let your heart respond unceasingly with awe and overflowing gratitude!
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Celebrating By Sister Kathleen McDonagh, IWBS
D Contributor
Sister Kathleen McDonagh, IWBS is a member of the order of the Incarnate Word of the Blessed Sacrament.
uring the summer months, many of us find that our daily schedule changes, at least for a time, long or short. We may take time to have a relaxing experience. However, after some time relaxing, we may begin to realize that we are not being as faithful to our prayer life. This lack of fidelity to our prayer life, however, is not a necessary part of our vacation.
God is always with us inviting us to communicate with him. Our church continues to offer us feast days throughout the summer, feast days–which if we are aware of them–enable us to turn to God, often through Our Lady or the saints. One Marian feast celebrated in July is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16. This title of Mary is not found in Scripture. It originates from the Stella Maris Monastery situated on Mount Carmel–a Monastery that is the spiritual headquarters of the Carmelite Order. The Carmelites, therefore, pray to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. However, their Marian prayer also contains
summer feasts in the church a rich collection of lovely Marian titles, titles such as “fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin…” A 1996 doctrinal statement which was approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments states: “Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is bound to the history and spiritual values of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and is expressed through the scapular.” At different times, the church has made other statements about the meaning and privileges of the Brown Scapular, the habit worn by the order. It has stated that the scapular “is both a sign and a pledge–a sign of belonging to Mary; a pledge of her motherly protection…” But it is important to remember that the devotion is to Mary; the Brown Scapular is only a sign of the devotion. Scriptural saints whose feast days occur in July include St. Mary Magdalen whose feast day is on July 22; St. James, an apostle of Our Lord with his feast day on July 25; Sts. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Our Lady, with their feast on July 26; and St. Martha whose feast comes on July 29. St. Mary Magdalen is described as “the Mary called Magdalene from whom seven demons had been cast out” (Lk 8:2). Released from her sinful past, Mary Magdalen is described with other women, as “providing for them ( Jesus and the Apostles) out of their resources” (Lk 8:3). We are told that she was present on Calvary when Jesus
died, and according to Mark’s Gospel, she was the first to see the risen Lord (Mk 16:9). After her conversion, then, she grew in total dedication to Jesus. On her feast day and at any time, let us pray to her that we too may grow in our dedication to and love of Him. St. James was the son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Apostle. As one of the 12 apostles, he was present at most of the preaching and miracles performed by Jesus. Like Jesus, Herod put him to death. Like him, we can offer ourselves to Jesus as his close followers. A very ancient tradition tells us that Sts. Joachim and Ann were the parents of the Virgin Mary. We know little about the details of their lives. As the parents of Mary, they were, of course, the grandparents of Jesus. Let us pray to them that we may grow in the knowledge and love of him who was grandson to them. July 29 brings us the feast of St. Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. When she received the Lord as a guest at their home in Bethany, she devoted herself to most careful preparation for His meal. We are told that “Martha served” ( Jn 12:2) while Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus, and Mary anointed His feet. Martha is the practical saint, the saint who takes care of human needs such as meal preparation and service, which is done totally out of love and respect for Jesus. So too we can put our most ordinary talents into practice in totally spiritual ways.
➤ God is always with us inviting us to communicate with him. Our church continues to offer us feast days throughout the summer: ◗◗ July 16 – Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel ◗◗ July 22 – Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalen ◗◗ July 25 – Feast Day of St. James, the Apostle ◗◗ July 26 – Feast Day of Sts. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Our Lady ◗◗ July 29 – Feast Day of St. Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus The month of July, then, offers us many feast days putting us in contact with saints from Scripture and from the history of the church. Let us continue to be in touch with Jesus through the Scriptural and liturgical aids offered us at all times. JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 47
July Liturgical Calendar 1 | Tue | Weekday | green/white [Blessed Junípero Serra, Priest] Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12/ Mt 8:23-27 (378) 2 | Wed | Weekday | green | Am 5:14-15, 21-24/Mt 8:28-34 (379) 3 | Thu | Saint Thomas, Apostle | red | Feast | Eph 2:19-22/Jn 20:24-29 (593) Pss Prop 4 | Fri | Weekday | green/white [Independence Day] Am 8:4-6, 9-12/Mt 9:9-13 (381) or, for Independence Day, any readings from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses, vol. IV, the Mass “For the Country,” nos. 882-886, or “For Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891 5 | Sat | Weekday | green/white/white/ white [Saint Anthony Zaccaria, Priest; Saint Elizabeth of Portugal; BVM] Am 9:11-15/Mt 9:14-17 (382) 6 | SUN | FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green | Zec 9:9-10/Rom 8:9, 11-13/Mt 11:25-30 (100) Pss II 7 | Mon | Weekday | green | Hos 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22/Mt 9:18-26 (383)
8 | Tue | Weekday | green | Hos 8:4-7, 11-13/Mt 9:32-38 (384) 9 | Wed | Weekday | green/red [Saint Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs] Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12/ Mt 10:1-7 (385)
Mt 11:25-27 (391)
12-13/Mt 13:10-17 (398)
17 | Thu | Weekday | green | Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19/Mt 11:28-30 (392)
25 | Fri | Saint James, Apostle | red | Feast | 2 Cor 4:7-15/Mt 20:20-28 (605) Pss Prop
18 | Fri | Weekday | green/white [Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest] Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8/Mt 12:1-8 (393) 19 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Mi 2:1-5/Mt 12:14-21 (394)
26 | Sat | Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary | white | Memorial | Jer 7:1-11/Mt 13:24-30 (400)
12 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Is 6:1-8/Mt 10:24-33 (388)
20 | SUN | SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green | Wis 12:13, 16-19/Rom 8:26-27/Mt 13:24-43 or 13:24-30 (106) Pss IV
27 | SUN | SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green | 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12/ Rom 8:28-30/Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46 (109) Pss I
13 | SUN | FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green | Is 55:10-11/ Rom 8:18-23/Mt 13:1-23 or 13:1-9 (103) Pss III
21 | Mon | Weekday | green/white [Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church] Mi 6:1-4, 6-8/Mt 12:38-42 (395)
28 | Mon | Weekday | green | Jer 13:111/Mt 13:31-35 (401)
14 | Mon | Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin | white | Memorial | Is 1:10-17/Mt 10:34—11:1 (389)
22 | Tue | Saint Mary Magdalene | white | Memorial | Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 (396)/Jn 20:1-2, 11-18* (603) Pss Prop
15 | Tue | Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | white | Memorial | Is 7:1-9/Mt 11:20-24 (390)
23 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [Saint Bridget, Religious] Jer 1:1, 4-10/Mt 13:1-9 (397)
16 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [Our Lady of Mount Carmel] Is 10:5-7, 13b-16/
24 | Thu | Weekday | green/white [Saint Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest] Jer 2:1-3, 7-8,
10 | Thu | Weekday | green | Hos 11:1-4, 8c-9/Mt 10:7-15 (386) 11 | Fri | Saint Benedict, Abbot | white | Memorial | Hos 14:2-10/Mt 10:16-23 (387)
World Mission Sunday Pilgrimage Beatification of Pope Paul VI Rome, Assisi, Lanciano and Padre Pio
Oct. 13-22
Join Father Angel Montano for World Mission Sunday Pilgrimage to Rome during the beatification of Pope Paul VI and tour Assisi, Lanciano and see the shrine of Padre Pio. Departing San Antonio on Oct. 13, returning Oct. 22, 2014. For more information contact Dora Hidalgo at
(361) 510-1411 or email: dorahidalgo@sbcglobal.net
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29 | Tue | Saint Martha | white | Memorial | Jer 14:17-22 (402)/Jn 11:1927* or Lk 10:38-42* (607) 30 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church] Jer 15:10, 16-21/Mt 13:44-46 (403) 31 | Thu | Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest | white | Memorial | Jer 18:1-6/Mt 13:47-53 (404)
JULY CALENDAR
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Blood Drive at St. Patrick Parish
The Coastal Bend Blood Center will be holding a blood drive on July 6 from 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish (3350 South Alameda) in Corpus Christi.
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On July 12-13. The journey is a two day passage and is approximately 42 miles from Corpus Christi’s Wayside Shrine on Marguerite Street to Lamar TX, where the Confidante Shrine is located. Our first day’s stay is in Aransas Pass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish. For more information call Nick De La Paz at (361) 425-8116 or Abel Gonzales at (361) 442-4776. For more information about the history of this walk go to www.SouthTexasCatholic. com/Schoenstatt
Retrouvaille Marriage Healing Weekend in San Antonio
On July 11-12. For more information about the program, or to register, visit www.retrouvaille.org. For questions about the specifics of the San Antonio program call (830) 612-2035.
11 & 12
Annual 12 45th Schoenstatt Boys Walk Our Lady of Guadalupe & 12 Society Baile Ranchero 13
Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rummage Sale
On Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12, from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church Parish Hall (3513 Cimarron Blvd) in Corpus Christi. There will be many gently used items for sale such as clothing, jewelry, toys, small appliances, furniture, bicycles, housewares, books and much more. This is the CDA fundraiser for scholarships as well as other CDA sponsored events throughout the year. Please bring cash, as this is the only payment that will be accepted.
A TOUGH Retreat
On July 11-13. The retreat is for high school age boys and girls and will be held at the Cursillo Center (1200 Lantana St.) in Corpus Christi. Learn More and download registration at www.diocesecc.org/HSTough
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Consecration to Jesus through Mary Day of Prayer
On July 12 from 8:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. in the Library at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Campus (1200 Lantana) in Corpus Christi. There will be Mass, a series of talks, and time to pray with Our Lady. A light breakfast and lunch will also be provided. Register www.deepprayer.org or call (361) 289-9095 ext.321.
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On July 12 at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, in Monsignor Kasper Youth Center from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. There will be music by Los Primos. Admittance is $5 per person. Brisket sandwich combos are $6 and pastries will also be for sale. Food will be served between 6–8 p.m. There will also be a Polka Contest with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. Proceeds from this event will go to the Building Fund. For more information you can contact Manuel Garcia at (361) 855-9288 or San Juana Fuentes at (361) 853-9746.
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On July 14-19 at the Corpus Christi Cathedral Classrooms. The Summer Camp is open to all wanting to learn more about their Catholic faith and to those who want to achieve commissioning status. Register online or print and mail the printable registration form at www.diocesecc.org/ SummerCamp
Christmas in July Gift and Craft Bazaar
On July 12 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or Sunday, July 13 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at St. Theresa Parish Hall (1212 Lantana Street) in Corpus Christi. Admission is free! There will be many items for sale. There will also be breakfast, lunch and snacks available for purchase at the concessions. For Bazaar or vendor information, please contact Celia at (361) 289-7092 or Jannell at (361) 851-0372 (Popcorn Etc.) or email christmasinjuly@live.com
4th Annual St. Paul School of Catechesis Adult Faith Formation Summer Camp
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SOLT Family Life Conference
On July 18-20 at Our Lady of Corpus Christi (1200 Lantana) in Corpus Christi. Conference begins with sign in on Friday July 18, at 6 p.m. and ends on Sunday, July 20.
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 49
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La Comprensión de la Nueva Evangelización y Defendiendo la Fe
El 19 de julio de 9 a.m. a las 4 p.m. en Nuestra Señora de San Juan de Los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia. La Oficina del Ministerio Hispano gustaría extender una invitación a todos los feligreses de habla hispana de su parroquia que nos acompañen en estos talleres, Comprensión de la Nueva Evangelización y Defendiendo la Fe, con orador principal Martha Fernández-Sardina. Este taller se llevará a cabo en español. Ven y únete a este nuevo esfuerzo para apoyar el Ministerio Hispano en nuestra Diócesis! Por favor confirmar su asistencia a la conferencia a Nellie Serna en Nserna@ diocesecc.org o llamando al (361) 882-6191.
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Natural Family Planning Class
On July 19 from 9:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. at 1426 Baldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi. Natural Family Planning allows couples to plan pregnancies while following the teachings of the church and respecting the gift of their married love. Registration is $125, which includes a six hour introductory class, materials, and unlimited follow-up as needed. Register online or print and mail the printable registration form at www.diocesecc.org/NFP
Seven Day Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Retreats at OLCC
On July 20–27 at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center (1200 Lantana) in Corpus Christi. Register www.deepprayer.org or call (361) 289-9095, ext. 321.
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Convalidation Seminar
On July 26 at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Parish in the St. Williams Parish Hall. Couples should speak to their priest before registering for the seminar to ascertain whether it is the right program for meeting their needs. Registration is $60, due July 12. For registrations after the due date, add $10. The Office of Family Life accepts online and mailed registrations. For more information call Deacon Nolte at (361) 693-6638 or register online at www.diocesecc.org/Convalidation
Women's Club Rummage Sale
On July 26 from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. This year, a to-goonly barbecue plate will be available from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at $6 per plate. The Women's Club booth will be accepting clean, unbroken, sellable items the week prior. There will also be community and outside vendor booths for those selling their wares. The building is air-conditioned and open to the public. It is not too late to request an inside booth, or space outside of Vattmann Hall. If you have any questions, please call Teresa May at (361) 296-4642.
Explore
From July 28-Aug. 1 at Camp Zephyr. Explore is for young men who are enrolled in high school or who will be enrolling this fall, as well as recent high school graduates. It is a summer experience for every young man who wants to understand his faith better, know himself better and make new
friends from all over the diocese. The cost to attend is only $25. Staffed by priests and deacons, along with seminarians and others thinking about a vocation to the priesthood. For more information, call the Office of Vocations at (361) 882-6191. Register online at www.ccpriest. org/Explore
Young Catholics Ablaze: Upcoming Events The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry of the Diocese of Corpus Christi invites young Catholics (ages 18-25) an opportunity to grow in their faith, have fellowship and fun with peers.
◗◗ Summer Splash on July 3 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. to the left of Bob Hall Pier (15820 Park Road 22.)
◗◗ Holy Hour on July 17 at St. Pius X Parish Youth Center (5620 Gollihar Road).
◗◗ Service Project on July 26
from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The group will meet at 1502 Howard Street in Corpus Christi.
◗◗ Day of fun on July 31 from
7-9 p.m. at Fun Trackers (9605 S.P.I.D.) Fun Trackers has go karts for all ages, bumper boats, miniature golf and a huge arcade room.
To view the Flyer go to www.diocesecc.org/YCA
To see more calendar events go to:
SouthTexasCatholic.com
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1 ss ly a EW u M N ing J day t n ar u St . S m p.
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New Parish Schedule for St. Peter, Prince of the Apostle 3901 Violet Road Corpus Christi, Texas 78410
St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles
Mass Schedule 3901 Violet Road • Corpus Christi, TX 78410 • (361) 241-3249 Saturday: 6 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m.; 10 Msgr. a.m.; 12 p.m.; 6Heras, p.m.; Father 8 p.m. Joseph (last chance) Pastor Michael Olikkara, Msgr. Seamus McGowan & Deacons Allen Cicora, Eluterio Farias and Richard Lewinski Weekdays: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 8 a.m.; Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Holy Days: 6:30 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Sacrament of Penance: Saturday 4:30-5:30 p.m.
www.stpeterprince.net
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2014
Weekend Mass Times: Sat: 6 p.m. Sun: 8 p.m. • 10 a.m. • 12 p.m. • 6 p.m. • 8 p.m.
Weekday Mass Times: Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri: 8 a.m. Mon–Fri: 6:30 p.m.
www.stpeterprince.net
Sacrament of Penance: Sat: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saint Mary Mission Mass: 9:30 a.m. Sun
July 28 - August 1 AT CAMP ZEPHYR
E xplore is a summer experience for every young man who wants to understand his faith better, know himself better and make new friends from all over the diocese. Explore is for young men who are enrolled in high school or who will be enrolling this fall, as well as recent high school graduates. The cost to attend is only $25.
For more information, contact the Office of Vocations (361) 882-6191 | W W W.C C P R I E S T.O R G
JULY 2014 | SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 51
July 2014 Issue
SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC P.O. Box 2620 Corpus Christi, TX 78403 (361) 882-6191
SAVETHEDATES Youth Spectacular Middle School
Sponsored By Diocese Of Corpus Christi Youth Office
September 21, 2014
&
Youth Spectacular High School
September 28, 2014
52 SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC | JULY 2014
For more information call the Office of Youth Ministry at (361) 882-6191 or see the youth web page at: WWW.DIOCESECC.ORG/YOUTH